Why should I buy better than a budget amp ?

[Marc v E]

I just placed an order for a pair of ascilab c6b. They're meant for a desktop setup. All I need now is an amp to drive them.

Here is where I need your help.
Given it's a setup intended for desktop use, in a room that measures 2,5 by 3,5 meters, what amp would you choose?
With budget amps approaching near state of the art, why would I choose a more expensive amp ?

Like this:
Thread '3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review' https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/3e-audio-a5-stereo-amplifier-review.59870/

I'm open to suggestions. Money is not really a constraint, value for money is.


I have a minidsp flex 8 or a dx7 pro dac that I can use as dac and preamp.
I'm considering buying a sub too.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

Being as I have no direct experience with either product, all I can say is that, on paper, the A5 seems to be more than adequate for speakers with 85 dB sensitivity in a desktop/nearfield situation, and it seems to deal with speaker impedance dips quite handily. Offhand and FWIW, I'd say it would be an appropriate choice given your stated criteria.

 

[Mart68]

Seems like it would do the job fine.

The only thing I would say is consider that if you are interacting with it every day there can be a long term dissatisfaction arising from owning and using a device that looks and feels cheap.

You say money's not a constraint so you might want to consider spending more just to get those non-sonic benefits.

Although maybe that will not bother you, and even if it eventually does you could always get something more luxurious at a later date and keep the cheap amp as a back-up.

 

[wwenze]

Two solutions

1) Get the cheapest amp that fits the minimum requirements

2) Assign a budget. Buy whatever is in that budget.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

The only thing I would say is consider that if you are interacting with it every day there can be a long term dissatisfaction arising from owning and using a device that looks and feels cheap.

It's a power amp, so (more often than not) there's the option tucking it and its power brick somewhere out of sight.

 

[Roland68]

I just placed an order for a pair of ascilab c6b. They're meant for a desktop setup. All I need now is an amp to drive them.

Here is where I need your help.
Given it's a setup intended for desktop use, in a room that measures 2,5 by 3,5 meters, what amp would you choose?
With budget amps approaching near state of the art, why would I choose a more expensive amp ?

Like this:
Thread '3e Audio A5 Stereo Amplifier Review' https://audiosciencereview.com/forum/index.php?threads/3e-audio-a5-stereo-amplifier-review.59870/

I'm open to suggestions. Money is not really a constraint, value for money is.


I have a minidsp flex 8 or a dx7 pro dac that I can use as dac and preamp.
I'm considering buying a sub too.

The C6Bs are specified with a minimum impedance of 2.6 ohms, so I would advise against the SE versions of the 3E Audio A series.
The A5 and A7 should be ideal; if you want some power reserve, I would recommend the A7.

I can also personally recommend the Sabaj A30a, which is a true digital amplifier and doesn't require a DAC, making it ideal for digital sources.

If you want even better measurements and/or more power, it will be significantly more expensive. Any audible advantage, if any, is likely to be marginal.
However, you shouldn't assume that a more expensive amplifier is also better; in my experience, that's not the case in most cases, even at 5, 10, or even 20 times the price.

 

[Bruce Morgen]

However, you shouldn't assume that a more expensive amplifier is also better; in my experience, that's not the case in most cases, even at 5, 10, or even 20 times the price.

Yup. Audio amplification is largely a solved problem in 2025, when perfectly adequate solutions are very inexpensive unless you're chasing spiffy cosmetics and/or pride in your ownership of a reputedly prestigious product.

 

[Marc v E]

Seems like it would do the job fine.

The only thing I would say is consider that if you are interacting with it every day there can be a long term dissatisfaction arising from owning and using a device that looks and feels cheap.

You say money's not a constraint so you might want to consider spending more just to get those non-sonic benefits.

Although maybe that will not bother you, and even if it eventually does you could always get something more luxurious at a later date and keep the cheap amp as a back-up.

Good point.

I always get to this point when purchasing devices of any kind. What I really want is a good, usable user interface and no discernable noise or pop during power on or off. I don't mind a less luxurious but functional front plate.

 

[Petevid]

'Pride of Ownership' can be factor, it's a case of how you personally find pride in the piece of kit you own.
Something that is well designed, of good/appropriate technical specification, is a joy to use, and is considered by you to represent good value for money probably will give you pride/satisfaction in your owning of it. Personally Wiim products tend to offer me this.

 

[Marc v E]

Two solutions

1) Get the cheapest amp that fits the minimum requirements

2) Assign a budget. Buy whatever is in that budget.

I have a third option I'm considering:

3) Buy a good enough amp and use the extra cash to buy a better subwoofer

 

[JeremyFife]

I'm sure it used to be simpler ... buy the most expensive Amp you could afford (+ 10% for safety) and start saving for the upgrade ...

Now you have to figure out what features you actually *need* and find decent, measurement based, reviews. Allow the keen early-adopters to iron out any early problems and be honest with yourself about how important the intangibles - aesthetics, materials, 'brand values' - are to you. Don't pay more than you need to and you are done!

I'll never need to change my PA5, unless it dies (fairly likely) or we move and I get a much bigger listening room (vanishingly unlikely) ... I'm nearly OK with that now

 

[Marc v E]

'Pride of Ownership' can be factor, it's a case of how you personally find pride in the piece of kit you own.
Something that is well designed, of good/appropriate technical specification, is a joy to use, and is considered by you to represent good value for money probably will give you pride/satisfaction in your owning of it. Personally Wiim products tend to offer me this.

Do you happen to own the Wiim pro amp ?

 

[Petevid]

No, the Wiim Amp and the Wiim Prom Plus streamer

 

[Marc v E]

@Petevid How quiet is the amp when listening close to the speakers? Is noise audible on quiet passages or between music ?

On amp on/off do the speakers give a 'pop' or do they remain dead quiet ?

 

[Timcognito]

Reduce clutter, increase features. Sell off old and buy a new a sub and something like this.
SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC

 

[Marc v E]

Reduce clutter, increase features. Sell off old and buy a new a sub and something like this.
SoundStage! Hi-Fi | SoundStageHiFi.com - miniDSP SHD Power Integrated Amplifier-DAC

I like your thinking. Especially the decluttering.

Will need some time though to sell all.

I'm leaning toward the 3e audio and the minidsp flex I already have to see if I'll go this route or if I'm satisfied with multiple boxes. Will be fun to try out this little chip amp.

 

[Marc v E]

The 3e audio a5 just arrived.
Feels sturdy and well made.



Something akin to how hypex diy cases look I imagine.

Not much bigger than a hand, so ideal for a desktop setup.